William H. (Bill) Cleary, 78, of Salem, passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2015. He was born in Lynn, MA on September 28, 1936 to the late William H. Cleary, Sr. and Marion (Promise) Cleary. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Lawrence Cleary and Matthew Cleary.
Family remaining to cherish his memory includes his wife of 54 years, Geraldine (Gerry) Byer Cleary; two daughters, Debra Lynn Cleary, of VA and Angela Cleary Schauweker (Edward), of VA.; grandson, Mark Schauweker, also of VA; sisters, Stella Scourtas (John), of FL, Rose Carrow, of MA, Elizabeth O’Brien, of MA and Nancy Harvey, of NV; and a brother-in-law, Wilber Byer (Linda) of Roanoke, sisters-in-law, Carolyn Zimmerman, of Salem and Doris Prillaman (Gerald), of Roanoke. Numerous nieces and nephews also survive.
Bill proudly served his country in the US Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal and later retired from Norfolk Southern Railway. A long-time member of Bethel Baptist Church, he had served as deacon, choir member and a faithful member of his Sunday School Class. He enjoyed participating in the JOY band, taking bus trips and beach vacations. He was an avid puzzle solver and loved following his favorite baseball team, the Boston Red Sox. In his younger years, he also enjoyed playing golf and bowling.
The family will receive friends on Thursday, February 5, 2015 from 3 until 6 p.m. at John M. Oakey & Son Funeral Home in Salem. Funeral services will be conducted on Friday, February 6, 2015 at 2 p.m. in the Abbey at Sherwood Memorial Park, also in Salem, with Rev. Brenda Rowe officiating.
The family requests, for those wishing to make memorial donations, to consider the Alzheimer’s Association; 3959 Electric Road, Suite 357, Roanoke, VA 24018, or visit alz.org.
A guestbook is available by visiting www.johnmoakey.com